Illinoisans react to Blagojevich verdict

What people are saying about the Blagojevich verdict and mistrial

"Blagojevich has walked the tight rope and kind of pulled off a miracle, a miracle people didn't think he could do. ... A lot of times passion counts and in the end prosecutors gave a very methodical presentation."

Andrew Stoltmann, Barrington Hills attorney

"I'm not a supporter of his, I'm not a fan of his, but I don't think the state made their case. I think he was pulled out of office for no good reason. I think what happened to him was wrong, I really do."

Bob Cook, chairman of the Lake County Republican organization

"He may have a slight victory today, but next time he definitely will get convicted. ... The evidence is overwhelming."

Defense attorney Terry Ekl, who represented Blagojevich chief-of-staff John Harris

"I guess we'll be late-night talk show fodder for another couple of months."

State Rep. Sandy Cole, a Grayslake Republican

"I'd be shocked if they walked away from this. I would shocked if they didn't come back and try the other 23 (counts) again."

David Morrison, deputy director for Illinois Campaign for Political Reform

"If I were Patrick Fitzgerald, I would play hardball and consider charging Patti Blagojevich. Clearly they (the defense) used her and the children as a vehicle to get sympathy."

DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett

"The jury has rendered its verdict. Children's Memorial Hospital respects the legal process and it is not appropriate for us to comment further."

- State from Children's Memorial Hospital. The hospital's chief executive believed Blagojevich was threatening to cancel a state aid increase unless he came up with campaign donations for him.

"While I applaud the jury for convicting Rod Blagojevich of lying to the FBI, I am disappointed in today's announcement of a hung-jury on the remaining counts in the trial of Rod Blagojevich. I believe the evidence of his guilt was clear and persuasive."

- Judy Baar Topinka, the Republican who lost to Blagojevich in 2006.

"I'm just not sure how the outcome would change."

State Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, of another trial.

"I want the people of Illinois to know I didn't lie to the FBI. This is a persecution."

Rod Blagojevich

"This guy is going wild... This guy is nuts."

Defense attorney Sam Adam Sr., of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald

"It's a shock it's a complete shock."

DePaul College of Law professor Leonard Cavise

"I expected this. I was hoping for a not guilty. I didn't think at any time they would find Robert guilty. I was concerned about making sure he was separate from his brother and got separate consideration."

Robert Blagojevich defense attorney Michael Ettinger

"This has been a slow bleed from the very beginning."

Robert Blagojevich

"While jurors deadlocked on many charges, they clearly confirmed the former governor's pattern of dishonesty."

- Democratic Senate President John Cullerton.

"I think they had a very solid count on the false statement. ... I predict they'll declare victory and they won't bother retrying the case."

Scott Lassar, former U.S. attorney

"The fact that Rod Blagojevich was convicted on only one of the counts against him does not take away from his serious breach of the public's trust."

- Illinois Republican Party chairman Pat Brady.

"I think a decision was made that my predecessor disgraced himself and did betray the public trust in his handling of the office."

Gov. Pat Quinn, Democrat running for election to the post

"While we hoped this decision would ... put this embarrassing episode behind us, today's conviction of Rod Blagojevich ... will likely result in further action in the pursuit of justice."

State Sen. Bill Brady, Republican candidate for governor

"One of my biggest concerns is that the Blagojevich defense team may have convinced people that he was just practicing politics as usual in Illinois. If that is the case, it is a real indictment of the political leadership in this state. If there is one thing that elected officials need to do in Illinois, it is to send a strong signal that the politics of the past are over, regardless of what the final verdict may be in the Blagojevich trial."

- Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont